Spring Extension Investigation

This section covers Hooke's Law investigation using springs and weights. The aqa required practicals physics curriculum emphasizes understanding elastic behavior.

Definition: Hooke's Law states that extension is directly proportional to applied force within the elastic limit.

Example: Measuring spring extension using different weights and plotting force-extension graphs.

Highlight: The limit of proportionality marks where the linear relationship between force and extension ends.

Vocabulary: Extension - The increase in length from the original position.

Waves in a Tank Practical

This practical explores wave properties in water, essential for understanding waves in a tank water practical gcse physics paper 2 questions.

Definition: Wave speed equals frequency multiplied by wavelength (v=fλ).

Example: Using an oscillating paddle to create water waves and measure their properties.

Highlight: Wave speed remains constant in the same medium despite changes in frequency or wavelength.

Vocabulary: Oscillating paddle - A device that moves up and down to generate waves.

Force and Acceleration Practical

This practical demonstrates the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration using a trolley system. Students investigate force and acceleration required practical method through systematic measurements.

Definition: Newton's Second Law states that acceleration is directly proportional to force and inversely proportional to mass (F=ma).

Example: Using a data logger and light gates to measure velocity changes when different masses are added to a trolley.

Highlight: The acceleration-force graph shows a linear relationship, demonstrating direct proportionality.

Vocabulary: Data logger - An electronic device that automatically records data over time from connected sensors.